💕 Today’s review: The Diary Of A Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
Right guys, I’d grab a cuppa before reading this one, at double my usual review length, it’s a looooonnnngg one!
There were three reasons why I wanted to read this book:
Some of the praise listed had compared the style to Nina Stibbe – LOVE HER WORK!
It’s about a bookseller – I’m fascinated by the ins and outs of the bookseller world and as it’s always painted in stories to be so idyllic, I wanted to hear a more realistic viewpoint. Bythell does not hold back!
The cover – with a cover this beautiful, it’s hard not to be lured to look at it in a bookstore.
So what did I think when I finally read it…
Hmm, my feelings are still mixed. I enjoyed the book, but it also made me feel a little deflated. With it being a memoir, you know these are Shaun’s real-life feelings about his customers, which of course makes the diary feel more honest, but it also felt brutal at times.
His generalisations on some of the book community seemed quite harsh, he expresses that people with book merchandise (bags, clothing, etc.) who come in and express their love for books, aren’t true book lovers. Now I understand that often when you’re walking around with that much merch’ on, you might come across a little in your face, but book enthusiasts like these, are the kind of people who wear their hearts on their sleeves and if they love reading, don’t put them off… no matter how they express themselves. I wouldn’t say I took offence to all of it, I just don’t like when people are judged before you actually get to know them. Everyone who takes the moment to enter a bookstore – new or secondhand, should be treated as equal because they’re allowing themselves to be surrounded by stories, that could bring them happiness and open them up to new thoughts and possibilities. I feel awful even writing this all, as I’m a sensitive soul and don’t like reading or hearing mean things about me or my loved ones, but I just wanted to get it out there that Shaun’s thoughts will not be for everyone. BUT if you can look past that, there’s a lot of hidden gems within this diary.
Continued in the comments!
💕 Today’s Review: The Little Café in Copenhagen by Julie Caplin
Josh Delaney is one of those men that you instantly despise. He’s smug, overly confident and still sees men as more important in business. Sadly Kate hadn’t realised this because she’d been blindsided by his good looks and dreamy kisses. Josh’s true colours were revealed to Kate in the most magnificently horrible way – he’d stolen her promotion at work and claimed her idea as his. Kate is crushed. Her boss offers her a PR job that no-one else wants to touch as it seems destined to go wrong but Kate is desperate to prove herself.
Finding herself in Copenhagen with six journalists to chaperone for five days, Kate is feeling overwhelmed but determined to prove everyone wrong.
The client, Lars, is opening a store in the UK to bring the Danish way of happiness and hygge to us Brits. The idea is that the journalists will experience it all first hand in Copenhagen: food, interior design, clothes… in simple to understand all things danish!
Eva’s café becomes the hub for all, especially Kate who begins to unwind and reflect under Eva’s wise and watchful eyes. The cosy and welcoming environment allows friendship to thrive, and each of the journalists have their own moment of self discovery. Caplin really made sure that the Danish way worked its magic on her characters and it’s also working on me too! I want to enjoy the little things more and I definitely want to go to Copenhagen now!
After the disastrous end to her relationship with Josh, Kate isn’t looking for love but it somehow finds her…
This was such a comfort read for me, and it really lifted my mood. The charming streets of Copenhagen came alive through Caplin’s words, which are also highly atmospheric; so you not only picture the scenes, but you feel the smells of the food, you feel the rush of emotions and you begin to experience the hygge effect on yourself!
With twists dotted throughout, you’re never sure if the happy ever after you’re craving will materialise – Caplin keeps you on your toes!
Relaxing, sweet and full of positive energy – I enjoyed reading this treat of a book!
The Little Café in Copenhagen is out now!
🌱 Today’s review: One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
🌿 When Grace surprises David on Valentine’s Day with a month long trip to Paris to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, she never expected David to be leaving her. And yet he has. Her daughter; Sophie, is adamant her mum should still go. But even though a month in a glorious hotel suite in stunning Paris sounds ideal, it’s also a painful reminder that she’s all alone and not in love.
🌿 Audrey sees a job offer that could get her away from her mum for the summer; she does love her it’s just…
🌿 Even though Audrey doesn’t speak the language or read books, she jumps at the opportunity of the free accommodation that comes with working at a bookshop in Paris.
🌿 What happens next is beautiful. I think Morgan has created one of my most favourite pairings in a book… ever! Grace craves distraction and something to focus on; as a serial organiser, it’s hard for her to switch off. Audrey needs someone to help her break through the language barrier and save her job. Together they compliment each other perfectly, they are yin and yang, total opposites and yet they each have the gift to grow each other into stronger, kinder and caring people.
🌿 As the story unravels Morgan wonderfully allows their friendship to blossom and offers so many wise words that will mean this book will touch any reader.
🌿 Paris comes alive on these pages through Morgan’s descriptive and atmospheric writing style. I was craving french food throughout and even gave in at one point, and bought cheese and a crusty baguette to munch on as I continued to read!
🌿 With a wonderful bookstore at the centre of this story, it’s a reader’s dream as it sweeps you up in the mystique of the customers and the intrigue of dusty old books.
🌿 Morgan has created two women who each bring along emotional baggage to Paris and find away to let it go. Captivating, beautifully descriptive and characterised to perfection. Morgan has created the ultimate comfort read that will lift your spirits and have you smiling throughout.
🌿 One Summer in Paris is out NOW in paperback and eBook versions by HQ.
#gifted
It’s time to share my thoughts on The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings!
Wow. I’ll just start with the word “mesmerising” to sum this book up. It was utterly spell binding from start to finish.
Set over the summer holidays, Tamsyn becomes attached to the Davenports, wanting to fill every spare minute at their house on the cliff. The family are, of course, fascinating as they’re out-of-towners but Tamsyn’s obsession with the cliff house runs much deeper -she sees it as a link to her father.
The sun’s heat, the pool, the ice creams, the lazy mornings… Jennings describes it all so vividly that I felt as if I was experiencing a school summer holiday all over again.
The tagline on the cover “Bad things happen in beautiful places” sets you up to know something will happen, and with the added perspective from “adult Tamsyn”, you know she’s haunted by the events of that summer… but when will Jennings release it? The build up was handled so beautifully that I was completely absorbed by Tamsyn’s homelife and her increasing infatuation with the Davenports, which meant when it all kicked off… it took me by surprise, I was sucker punched!
Like Tamsyn and her binos, I enjoyed watching the family and seeing their traits begin to reveal. Jennings’ clever characterisation played a key part in this plot, as each of the Davenports held so many glorious secrets that unraveled in the most satisfying way. The focus isn’t all on the Davenports though; Tamsyn’s home is a place where grief seems to have rooted itself strong, making it difficult for anyone to move on… without it flaring up the grief of others.
This is an outstanding story that takes you to Cornwall and lets you live and breathe these characters for 369 pages. It focuses heavily on teenage obsessions and coaxes out both the highs and lows that it brings with it, in the most hauntingly vivid way. Having read this in a day, it’s easy to say it captivated me and gripped me throughout.
A “must add” to your collection!
The Cliff House is out now in hardback and eBook versions by HQ.
I managed to grab a free copy of this book at a HQ event #gifted
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📗 REVIEW: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
⭐️ RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✏️ THOUGHTS: ⬇️
Celeste Ng is one of those authors that seems to be highly recommended by all. A lot of people had told me to read this book, so I dived in and very quickly became a convert and full time member of the appreciation group for this incredible author!
In Shaker Heights everything is just so. The houses look a certain way, there are rules about how your grass should look and people are expected to act in a certain way. If you’ve been brought up living there, it just feels like the “norm”; after all everyone is kind, friendly and sensible. But when out-of-towners, Mia and her daughter Pearl arrive, their energy begins to distort the town’s.
Now for Pearl, she just wants to fit in and she immerses herself into the Richardson’s family home: becoming close friends with Moody and Lexie, having a crush on Trip and being curious about Izzy. Mia, however, sees the real ‘Izzy’ and begins to share advice with her; Izzy is overjoyed that someone finally gets her. I could go on about these characters for a while, as it’s clear from early on that Ng has great skill in creating characters which fully suit her story; they match the plot with their complexity, hidden thoughts and their uniqueness – they had such an alluring effect on me drawing me further into this story.
I was perfectly happy to just explore the dynamics of the Richardsons and the Warrens, but Ng shifts it up a gear by adding a new subject matter that really intensifies the characters’ true personalities. The Richardson’s friends are in the process of adopting a Chinese-American baby that was left abandoned. After having her for a year, the Chinese mother now wants the baby back. Who’s side are you on? The McCullough’s will be able to provide her with the best start in life but is biology and heritage more important?
The town becomes divided and cracks begin to show, just as the side stories come to the surface, revealing secrets and lies.
Without spoiling the plot, I’ll just say Mrs Richardson’s research added a fascinating dimension to this story... continued in comments
